Page 165 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 133
Commodore James, though now acting in subordination to
Admiral Watson, with that devotion to duty and abnegation
of self, which distinguished him through life, offered to make
soundings in the harbour of Gheria, and take bearings tliat
might prove of service in the contemplated operations. This he
accomplished with complete success. He set sail for Crheria
with three of the Compan^^'s ships, and, arriving about dusk in
the oiiing, stood in close under the walls ; and, in the course of
the night, proceeded in a small boat, and carried out his self-
imposed mission. He then returned to Bombay.
The following is a copy of the Report addressed by Commodore
James to Admiral Watson, dated " December 22, 1755, on
board the ' Protector,' off Bombay," describing his reconnaissance
of Gheria :—
" Sir,
" I have the honour to inform you that I arrived off Gheria,
with the ' Protector,' ' Revenge,' and ' Guardian ' under my
command, on the morning of the 14tli inst., where I saw the
enemy's fleet, consisting of three three-mast grabs, eight ketches,
and twelve or fourteen galivats in the harbour, rigged and their
sails bent, with one three-mast grab having only her lower masts
rigged. I stood into seven fathoms water, when I think I was
within point-blank shot of the fort, but they did not fire at us.
I was exceedingly surprised at finding the place so widely
different from what I had heard it represented. I assure you,
Sir, it is not to be called high, nor, in my opinion, strong ; it is,
indeed, a large mass of buildings, and I believe the walls may
be thick, but that part of the works which fell under my obser-
vation, and which was three-quarters of their circumference, is
quite irregular, with round towers and long curtains in the
Eastern manner, and which discovers only thirty-two embrasures
below, and fifteen above. On the west side of the harbour is a
fine flat table-land opposite the fort, and I think within gunshot,
but I am sure within distance for bombarding, and from whence
a very good diversion might be made, while the princijKil attack
is carried on by the ships, and from a hill to the southward of
the fort. The hill is very near to and full as high as the fort,
for when we were a considerable distance it hid all the fort
except the top of one house and the flagstaff; it is also very
plain from our depth of water, that the ships can go near enough
for battering, and consequently for throwing shells. There are
also three sandy bays under the hill, without any surf to render
the landing difficult ; the first two are rather too near the fort,
but the third is out of their line of fire. The water is deep enough
for the ships to cover the descent, and the hill accessible as to
make the getting up of cannon. &c., quite easy afterwards.
There is a very large town betwixt tiie fort and this liill, the
houses of whicli are covered with cajans,and which the inhabitants